2018 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the Catholic League
The Catholic League had a great 2017 volleyball season, sending four teams to Battle Creek to play in respective state semifinals. A former member, Notre Dame Prep, also appeared. This year, the CHSL should be very competitive and have another…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Catholic League had a great 2017 volleyball season, sending four teams to Battle Creek to play in respective state semifinals. A former member, Notre Dame Prep, also appeared. This year, the CHSL should be very competitive and have another big impact in the postseason. Here’s our breakdown of what to expect from the CHSL in 2018.
CHSL Central Breakdown
Livonia Ladywood closed its doors for the final time in the spring of 2018, leaving the Central down to just five teams. Still, the Central isn’t lacking in firepower behind Farmington Hills Mercy and Bloomfield Hills Marian. Marian was the 2017 Class A runner-up, but comes into 2018 with its third coach in as many years. Mayssa Cook takes over the program looking to lead the Mustangs to their first state title since 2010. Marian loses some big talent, led by middle Lauren Wenzel, but the Mustangs still have their on-court leader in setter Madison Dowd. They also return junior outside Christine Audette and senior outside Sarah Cavanaugh. The Mustangs should once again have a strong attack.
Mercy won the CHSL Central last year, but fell to the Mustangs in the Class A semifinal. This year’s Marlins squad looks like it is the Division 1 favorite on paper. Mercy is stacked all around and is led by junior outside Jess Mruzik, who is certain to be a Miss Volleyball contender in 2019. She is joined by senior hitters Logan Beyer and Mallory Conrad, as well as junior hitter Genevieve Sale and junior DS Kayla Shields. Completing the unit is sophomore setter Julia Bishop, who is already garnering national attention for her ability to attack and set.
Fr. Gabriel Richard, Regina and Divine Child will have an uphill climb to slow down Mercy and Marian this year. Divine Child lost three All-Region seniors in 2017.
CHSL Central Prediction: Mercy
CHSL AA Breakdown
A competitive division in 2017 should be competitive again in 2018. Bishop Foley is the defending division champ, but St. Catherine of Siena ended up winning the CHSL C-D title and made a run to the Class C semifinals. The Stars return a strong senior class in 2018 and that makes them a big threat to repeat as conference champs. Outside Emma Schlagheck, middle Payton Porter and setter Katie Grose will give SCA a tremendous attack. If the Stars can stay tough on defense, they will still find a way to be a contender in the move up to Division 2.
Bishop Foley had a perfect record in division play last year, but the Ventures lost two big seniors in Nina Rudnitsky and Emilee Dover. Senior Madigan Tierney and juniors Kayla Moore and Lydia Capaldi will have to step up from a leadership standpoint if Foley hopes to contend for another CHSL title.
Cabrini lost two All-Region players in Arden Fuchs and Maria Holder, but return talented senior outside Gabrielle Martin. After finishing in the middle of the division in 2017, Riverview Gabriel Richard could make a run this year as it returns senior hitters Sharmaye Becraft and Sydney Kusiak, as well as junior libero Isabella Kandes.
CHSL AA Prediction: St. Catherine of Siena
CHSL West Breakdown
Greenhills had a perfect run through the West last year while Liggett and Everest Collegiate were right behind. Greenhills lost three All-Catholic players from last year’s team and will have to grow up quickly with the rest of the league setting their sights on taking down the former champ. Junior Morgan Gallimore will be looked to to help the team through this transition.
Everest Collegiate looks to be the team most likely to take over the top spot. The Mountaineers bring back a pair of All-Catholic players in Grace Lowney and Serra Lowney. They also bring back All-League player Katelyn Allen to give the Mountaineers a lot of senior experience in 2018.
Liggett lost some key seniors but still return junior Bella Cubba to give them some optimism. Sacred Heart was in the mix in 2017 and look to ride senior Elizabeth Etterbeek to greater heights in 2018.
CHSL West Prediction: Clarkston Everest Collegiate
Other 2018 Season Preview Content: